Desk attachment



Sept. 30, 1958 B. LEVINE DESK ATTACHMENT Filed Nov. 20. 1953 INVENTOR fioe/s ZEl/M/E' A ORNEY United States Patent DESK ATTACHMENT Boris Levine, Washington, D. C.

Application November 20, 1953, Serial No. 393,308 1 Claim. (Cl. 312--317) My invention relates to improvements in desks, and may be used with a desk for an ofiice or for the home. By means of my invention, a conventional desk may be improved so that additional surface area may be available when desired, to the end that a typewriter, papers, books, etc. may be placed thereon. When the additional surface is not needed, it may be stowed away in such a manner that it is out of the way of a user of the desk, not interfering with the use of either the normal writing surface, the drawers, or the leg room thereof.

My invention further contemplates an improvement in desks which provides an auxiliary work supporting surface or shelf which is sturdy, which may be placed in position of use or storage with facility, and which harmonizes with the general design and appearance of the desk proper.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a desk embodying my invention, showing my auxiliary shelf in two positions.

Figure 2 is an elevation of my improved desk, the shelf being in the stowed position, and

Figure 3 is an elevation of a modification embodying my invention.

In the drawings, a substantially horizontal work supporting surface or desk top is supported by spaced substantially vertically extending support means or pedestals 11 and 12 and legs 13, 14, 15 and 16. Pedestal 11 contains drawers 17 and 18 and pedestal 12 contains drawers 19, 20 and 21. These drawers may be arranged in any conventional manner.

In the space between the pedestals 11 and 12, generally designated the knee-hole, I provide an auxiliary work supporting means or shelf 22 which is pivotally attached to the desk closely beneath top 10 by vertically extending pivot means, as at front inside corner 23. The auxiliary shelf is additionally supported by legs 24 and 25. When in the stowed position, the auxiliary shelf 22 substantially underlies the desk top 10. The leg 24 thereof is spaced a sufiicient distance from the inner edge of pedestal 12 that a person may use the desk without restriction or discomfort. The leg 25, being to the rear, does not in any way interfere with the use of the desk. It is to be noted additionally that the auxiliary shelf 22, when in the stowed position, harmonizes with the general appearance of the desk. Obviously, when the auxiliary "ice shelf 22 is in the stowed position, no extra floor space is used.

Auxiliary shelf 22 is, for convenience, sector shaped; this shape being chosen as that which provides the maximum area and still permits ease of movement. However, any other shape which may be moved into and out of the stowed position may be used.

When additional working surface is desired, the auxiliary shelf 22 may be facilely moved to the alternate or use position, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. This movement is accomplished by rotating the shelf 22 about its pivotal support at front inside corner 23. In this position, it presents a sturdily supported, relatively large auxiliary work surface, which may be used to support heavy and/ or large objects. A typewriter may be placed upon it, the typists legs being readily accommodated between the leg 25 and the front of pedestal 12.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modification of my invention wherein 30 represents the top of a desk which is supported by a pedestal 31 having a leg 32 and drawers 33, 34 and 35. The top 30 is also supported by leg 36. An auxiliary shelf 37 is pivotally attached to leg 36 at front inside corner 38, and is additionally supported by a front leg. 39 and rear leg 40. This form of the invention has the same advantages as specified above for the other form.

Changes may be made from the specific forms disclosed herein, my invention being limited only by the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

An attachment for a desk having a substantially horizontal work surface and means defining a kneehole beneath said surface, said attachment comprising a sectorshaped shelf, vertically extending pivot means for securing said shelf at approximately the center point thereof to the means defining said kneehole at a front inside corner thereof and closely beneath said work surface, said attachment further comprising legs extending downwardly from said shelf and being adjacent the means defining said kneehole when said shelf is in said kneehole, said shelf being swingable on said pivot means to a position outwardly of said desk.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 138,406 Johnson Apr. 29, 1873 349,875 Crocker Sept. 28, 1886 584,314 Albietz June 15, 1897 654,922 Schipkowsky July 31, 1900 1,688,456 Dolph Oct. 23, 1928 1,849,726 Reed Mar. 15, 1932 2,035,488 McArthur Mar. 31, 1936 2,468,473 Underwood Apr. 26, 1949 2,590,959 Granditer Apr. 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 457,999 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1936 804,846 Germany Apr. 30, 1951 

